Clippers lose as tables turned

Chris Paul of the Clippers defends Mike Conley of the Memphis Grizzlies during Game 3 Thursday. ANDY LYONS, GETTY IMAGES

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Blake Griffin of the Clippers looks to pass against the defense of the Grizzlies' Zach Randolph. ANDY LYONS, GETTY IMAGES

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The Clippers Chauncey Billups (1)reaches for a loose ball against the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday in Memphis. ANDY LYONS, GETTY IMAGES

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The Clippers Chauncey Billups (1)shoots the ball while defended by Mike Conley of the Memphis Grizzlies during Game Three of the Western Conference Quarterfinals at FedExForum on Thursday in Memphis. ANDY LYONS, GETTY IMAGES

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The Grizzlies' Marc Gasol celebrates after making a shot at FedExForum on Thursday in Memphis. ANDY LYONS, GETTY IMAGES

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The Clippers' Blake Griffin (32) reacts to be called for a foul at FedExForum on Thursday in Memphis. ANDY LYONS, GETTY IMAGES

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The Clippers Chris Paul (3) defends Mike Conley (11) of the Memphis Grizzlies during Game Three of the Western Conference Quarterfinals at FedExForum on Thursday in Memphis. ANDY LYONS, GETTY IMAGES

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The Clippers' Chris Paul disagrees with an officals call at FedExForum on Thursday in Memphis. ANDY LYONS, GETTY IMAGES

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The Grizzlies' Quincy Pondexter celebrates after making a shot against the Clippers during Game Three of the Western Conference Quarterfinals at FedExForum on Thursday in Memphis. ANDY LYONS, GETTY IMAGES

The Clippers' Chris Paul, (3) left, moves against Memphis Grizzlies' Mike Conley during the first half of Game 3 at FedExForum on Thursday in Memphis. DANNY JOHNSTON, AP

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Memphis Grizzlies guard Tony Allen (9) and Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) vie for the ball during the first half of Game 3 at FedExForum on Thursday in Memphis. DANNY JOHNSTON, AP

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The Clippers' Eric Bledsoe, center, and Jamal Crawford (11) vie for the ball against Memphis Grizzlies' Darrell Arthur (00) during the first half of Game 3 at FedExForum on Thursday in Memphis. DANNY JOHNSTON, AP

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Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph (50) and Clippers' Lamar Odom (7) work for a rebound during the first half of Game 3 at FedExForum on Thursday in Memphis. DANNY JOHNSTON, AP

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The Clippers' Chris Paul (3) heads to the hoop agains the Memphis Grizzlies during the first half of Game 3 at FedExForum on Thursday in Memphis. DANNY JOHNSTON, AP

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The Clippers guard Chauncey Billups (1) moves the ball against Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) during the first half of Game 3 at FedExForum on Thursday in Memphis. DANNY JOHNSTON, AP

MEMPHIS – The Clippers, for the most part, were able to play their tempo, their style against the Memphis Grizzlies in the first two games of the playoffs.

But Thursday as the series shifted to FedEx Forum, it was the Grizzlies' turn to dictate how a game would be played.

In an ugly, slow-down 48 minutes, Memphis got to more loose balls and more rebounds, beating the Clippers, 94-82.

The Clippers lead the series, 2-1, with Game 4 here Saturday.

"They were just playing Grizzlies' basketball," Clippers forward Matt Barnes said. "We came out flat. The bench didn't come out and play well. All around, I think they hit us first and had us on our heels for most of the night. I think we played their game, and obviously, they're better at that than we are."

The Grizzlies' game isn't about shooting a high percentage. They were just as bad as the Clippers were, with both teams shooting a paltry 38.8 percent.

But the Grizzlies, unlike the Clippers, were able to keep empty possessions alive, pulling down 17 offensive rebounds that led to 22 second-chance points.

"We know why we lost this game," Barnes said.

Memphis, which had struggled to slow down the Clippers in the first two games of the series, played with greater urgency and intensity on the defensive end, forcing the Clippers into lost possessions on multiple occasions.

"We wanted to play our game," Zach Randolph said.

Compounding matters, the Clippers weren't careful with the basketball, turning it over 18 times.

Chris Paul was the prime offender, turning it over five times while dishing out only four assists. Paul scored only eight points, hitting 4 of 11 shots from the field without attempting a free throw.

"It was uncharacteristic of us, especially me," Paul said. "Our turnovers led to 17 of their points. ... We just have to be better."

The lackluster effort in keeping the Grizzlies off the boards and the turnovers kept the Clippers from getting easy baskets in the open court.

"It's hard to run when you don't have the ball," Vinny Del Negro said.

Memphis had no problems with the pace, with Randolph leading the way after struggling twice in Games 1 and 2 at Staples Center.

"I definitely wanted to come out and be aggressive," Randolph said.

Randolph dominated inside, getting 13 of his 27 points in the first quarter. Randolph also finished with six offensive rebounds.

Randolph's counterpart, Blake Griffin led the Clippers with 16 points, but five fouls disrupted his rhythm.

Griffin, who has been part of double fouls in each of the series' three games, said he's not been comfortable with the line between playing physical and not fouling.

"It's a tough line to walk. Normally you get a feel for it (early), for some reason, it's been somewhat tough to find it," Griffin said. "A lot of double fouls, a lot of fouls down low."

Memphis made 21 of 23 free throws as the Clippers were whistled for 29 fouls.

Despite never being in rhythm, the Clippers were within five points of Memphis in the fourth quarter, but the Grizzlies got a key offensive rebound from Quincy Pondexter on his own missed free throw. Pondexter followed up the miss with a basket and the foul, giving the Grizzlies a 4-point possession.

"We never really got over the hump," Paul said.

The win gives Memphis momentum, confidence and a chance to even the series Saturday. Marc Gasol, who scored 16 points to go with eight rebounds, said he was most encouraged with the Grizzlies getting back to their style.

"I think we did a better job of staying within ourselves," he said. "Win or lose, you always have to be who you are."

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